I will be very particular with my plant purchases for Zone 5. I have wasted a lot of money in my Zone 7 gardens over the years. That will not happen again. I now research every plant for deer resistance.
So far there are four new plants that have not been devoured by deer. They are cone flower, lantana, ice plant and an Epimedium.
The Echinacea Sombrero ‘ Red Salsa PP#23105 tag says Zones 4-9. It seems happy on a slant near a wall.
Ocean Sunset Orange Glow Ice Plant survived being stepped on by a hunky EMT named Kurt. This Delosperma’s tag claims extreme coldy hardy.
‘Hot Blooded’ red Lantana camara is growing uneaten in the front flower bed. It is hardy to 32°, so it will be treated as an annual.
My latest Epimedium is named ‘Pink Champagne.’ I could not resist any plant nicknamed Fairy Wings. It also claims to be hardy in Zones 5-9. This is not blooming but also not being eaten.
My favorite plant store in Boone gave me this list several years ago. I will be referring to it religiously from now on. Thanks Mustard Seed.
FLOW
floweralley 
Lantana grows great in my desert. Yellow bells, Mexican bird of paradise and my bougainvillea does great. I too spent so much on plants only to have my plants melt in the sun. Oh… I do have a couple varieties of cactus.lol it is fun though.
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Yes, needs must. I have to research every plant for deer and slug resistance. Ones that I have to have but are attractive to these pests are in planters on the deck. Gotta have my coleus!
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I plan on using more pots here. Many porches to choose from. Thanks Eliza
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Yes, it’s smart to research, it makes a difference. Sometimes the young ones, who are just learning, still try a few out but I have found they don’t come back.
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I had deer in the front and rabbits in the back. My trick is to rub leaves and see how they smell. Lantana and salvia have that certain smell.
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I have a collection of lavendar hybrids at home for an experiment. I may relocate the cold-hardy ones up here.
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I love the selection, Flower. Do you know Miss Huff Lantana? It’s hardy and huge.
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I had Miss Huff years ago.
I will add some next summer.
Still cannot bend. 33 staples in hip.
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Good plan. I had Miss Huff in Atlanta, it would probably swallow my house here, though I have had little luck with the native lantanas and many of the others are invasive.
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good luck with the flowers Flow: I am not a gardener though I love reading your gardening adventures: you bring everything alive; I do love though sitting out the back in my deck chair with the floral magnificence of the honeysuckle hedge before me 🙂
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That sounds magical.
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